October 25, 2018

OCTOBER 25, 2018

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The University of Saskatchewan’s main campus is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Emily Migchels

editor@thesheaf.com NEWS EDITOR

CULTURE EDITOR

Tanner Bayne

Cole Chretien

news@thesheaf.com

culture@thesheaf.com

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

OPINIONS EDITOR

Jack Thompson sportshealth@thesheaf.com

Erin Matthews

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NEWS

A student’s complaint brings attention to difficulties heating university buildings According to Safety Management Systems, fluctuating temperatures and slow heating systems make it difficult to regulate the temperature of older buildings.

opinions@thesheaf.com

STAFF WRITER

Ana Cristina Camacho staffwriter@thesheaf.com COPY EDITOR | Amanda Slinger copy@thesheaf.com LAYOUT MANAGER | Kaitlin Wong layout@thesheaf.com PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR | Riley Deacon photo@thesheaf.com GRAPHICS EDITOR | Jaymie Stachyruk graphics@thesheaf.com WEB EDITOR | Nykole King web@thesheaf.com OUTREACH DIRECTOR | J.C. Balicanta Narag outreach@thesheaf.com AD & BUSINESS MANAGER | Shantelle Hrytsak ads@thesheaf.com

Riley Deacon / Photo Editor A U of S student sits on heating vents in the Arts Building on Oct. 5.

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COVER IMAGE

STAFF WRITER

Heywood Yu BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeremy Britz Lyndsay Afseth Matthew Taylor Kayle Neis Emily Klatt Heywood Yu

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Mission // The mission of the Sheaf is to inform and entertain students by addressing those issues that are relevant to life on campus, in the city or in the province. The newspaper serves as a forum for discussion on a wide range of issues that concern students. Written for students, by students, it provides unique insight into university issues through a student perspective. The staff of editors, photographers and artists collaborate with volunteers as student journalists to create a product relevant to students on the University of Saskatchewan campus.

Legal // The Sheaf, published weekly during the academic year and periodically from May through August, is an incorporated non-profit that is, in part, student-body funded by way of a direct levy paid by all partand full-time undergraduate students at the U of S. The remainder of the revenue is generated through advertising. The financial affairs are governed by a Board of Directors, most of whom are students. Membership in the Sheaf Publishing Society is open to all undergraduate students at the U of S, who are encouraged to contribute to the newspaper. Absolutely no experience is required!

The opinions expressed in the Sheaf do not necessarily reflect those of the Sheaf Publishing Society Inc. The Sheaf reserves the right to refuse to accept or print any material deemed unfit for publication, as determined by the Editor-in-Chief. The Editor-in-Chief has the right to veto any submission deemed unfit for the Society newspaper. In determining this, the Editor-in-Chief will decide if the article or artwork would be of interest to a significant portion of the Society and benefit the welfare of Sheaf readers. The Sheaf will not publish any racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous material.

Land Acknowledgement // The Sheaf acknowledges that our office is built on Treaty Six Territory and the traditional homeland of the Métis. We pay our respects to the First Nations and Métis ancestors of this place and affirm both the importance of our relationship with Indigenous peoples and students at the U of S and our commitment to recognize and remain accountable for our collective history.

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If you spot any errors in this issue, please email them to copy@thesheaf.com for correction.

2 / NEWS

For one arts and science student at the University of Saskatchewan, the temperature in the Arts Building has made sitting in lectures an uncomfortable experience. Taking action, the student in question has formally complained in an effort to take the heat off the situation.

Shyann Vaskevicius, third-year anatomy and cell biology major, sent a complaint to Student Central after talking with her friends about the discomfort they all felt in the Arts Building.

“I’m so uncomfortable in my hour-long class. Half an hour into sitting there just writing notes, I shouldn’t be sweating,” Vaskevicius said. “I found the [Thermal Office Conditions Guidelines] online, and there’s no way it’s that cold in there because it feels so much hotter.”

The U of S Thermal Office Conditions Guidelines state that thermal comfort — not feeling too hot or too cold — is significant, as it contributes to one’s well-being and productivity. Under these guidelines, thermal comfort is determined by six factors: the metabolic rate of those in a room, clothing, air temperature, radiant temperature, air speed and humidity.

For Vaskevicius, thermal discomfort is not limited to the Arts

Building but is a common issue in the university’s older buildings.

“I also notice it in some of the other older buildings,” Vaskevicius said. “We pay so much — is it so hard to get a normal temperature year round?”

Vaskevicius’ complaint was forwarded to Patrick Houser, Safety Management Systems co-ordinator at the U of S. Houser responded to Vaskevicius’ email, saying that thermal discomfort is often due to logistical problems in regulating the temperature of large old buildings in certain seasons.

“We get complaints about this, generally in the fall and in the spring when outdoor temperatures can be unseasonably warm or cool, which obviously affects the heating and cooling systems in the buildings,” Houser said.

“Some of the buildings are also large and take considerable time to change temperature. There are also warm or cool spots in most buildings due to the floor plans and changes to floor plans.”

Wade Epp is the associate vice-president of Service Design and Delivery, an initiative at the U of S that aims to improve the university’s administrative services. Epp says that the heating systems of older buildings at the U of S can’t always keep up with the weather changes.

“The larger buildings run through a boiler system that isn’t as responsive as your typical house heating, [which] can fluc-

tuate between hot and cold more quickly,” Epp said. “It’s a much larger system.”

Despite being a source of complaints, Epp says there are no plans to change the current systems. However, he believes that Service Design and Delivery responds adequately when there is an issue to fix.

“We try to be as effective as possible when things do need to be switched over,” Epp said.

“More importantly, we try to communicate effectively when those changes are happening, so users of those buildings can be aware of when things are changing and they can dress accordingly and adjust to the temperature.”

Vaskevicius believes that dialogue about thermal comfort through complaints can yield results.

“I feel like they will be more conscious about it this winter, and it will get better because we are talking about it now,” Vaskevicius said.

Epp encourages students who notice abnormal temperatures to contact Facilities Support Services at (306) 966-4496.

“We have facilities agents that can take a call, and contacting our health and safety group would also work,” Epp said. “We will review those concerns, and if something is out of the ordinary, we can respond quickly so that people are not only safe but comfortable as well.”

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NEWS

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Meet your new USSU president The Sheaf speaks with the new USSU president after his first day on the job.

TANNER BAYNE NEWS EDITOR

On Oct. 18, the 2018 University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union by-election came to a close. After a nearly two months of operation without the top executive member, the organization was able to name a president-elect, while also filling eight of the eleven open seats on the students’ council.

Out of six candidates, Rollin Baldhead, a fourth-year Indian Teacher Education Program student, won the race for the presidential nomination by a wide margin of nearly 200 votes. In total, 2,762 undergraduate students at the U of S cast their ballots in the by-election. Baldhead received 631 votes, amounting to 22.85 per cent of the overall vote, beating out runner-up Michael Aman’s 432 votes, or 15.64 per cent of total votes.

Despite the rigors of the condensed campaigning period, Baldhead is confident in the supports he is being provided to move forward in the position.

“I have to say, waiting for the verdict to come up was the most tense I’ve felt in a while,” Baldhead said. “I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, but I know, with the executive being on for the last six months, there is a lot of support that can help deliver on the points in my campaign.”

Baldhead says that his decision to run for office was informed by his desire to advocate for lesser-represented voices on campus.

“I thought that there need-

ed to be a rebuild of relationships on campus. I wanted to be that voice for minority voices — not to speak for these voices but to help amplify the concerns that these students may have,” Baldhead said.

Throughout the by-election, Baldhead campaigned on three core platform points: being available and accessible for students and their questions, implementing a more holistic mental-health strategic plan and completing an internal assessment of the USSU. For Baldhead, betterment of the USSU and its services is his priority.

“It’s doing an alright job, but it can do better. Just like anything else, we should talk to first-years — they are often coming in blind if they are from other countries or from reserves,” Baldhead said. “I have many friends who came to school who were smart and capable, but they didn’t have those supports, so they went back home. This is one way we can do better, to benefit all students.”

Baldhead also mentioned that he is considering dropping two of the three classes that he is currently enrolled in. For Baldhead, this will provide him with some personal time and allow him to also tend to his position with the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

Since March, Baldhead has been a youth representative for the FSIN. As one of two individuals in this position, Baldhead’s role within the organization is to assist in

David Hartman Rollin Baldhead speaks at the USSU candidate Q&A hosted by the Sheaf on Oct. 17.

the FSIN’s decision-making process on issues that pertain to Indigenous youth. He was elected to this position on a two-year term.

On Sept. 25, this role saw Baldhead call on the FSIN executive for better performance after police were called to their head office following a dispute over their election.

While this means that Baldhead is advocating for the

FSIN as well as the USSU, he doesn’t consider there to be any complications with holding positions both offices.

“In these two positions, I see opportunity — Indigenous youth are going to come to university,” Baldhead said. “I can do my best to put something in place that will benefit not only these students but anybody. I have an amazing support system and

a schedule that will allow me to work on both each day.”

Ultimately, Baldhead is thankful for the opportunity to be the USSU president for the remaining six months of the academic year.

“I feel extremely grateful and lucky to represent the undergraduates students at the U of S,” Baldhead said.

“It’s such an amazing thing to be their voice.”

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In focus: FSIN candidates’ forum held on campus FSIN candidates gathered on campus to answer questions on platforms and forthcoming initiatives.

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Protective Services briefs* Wildlife on campus: On Sept. 19, Protective Services received a call regarding a moose walking through the crop science field laboratory. The Saskatoon Police Service and a conservation officer were able to transport the moose safely out of city limits without incident.

Suspicious activity: On Sept. 22, a caller in Place Riel reported that three males tried to sell him drugs.

Protective Services officers searched their bags, and no drugs were found. The individuals left campus.

Bike thief apprehended: On the evening of Oct. 2, Protective Services were alerted about a possible stolen bicycle near the Education Building. Upon arrival, officers observed a male matching the description of the suspect on a bicycle. The suspect was eventually apprehended and found to be in possession of stolen property and a prohibited weapon.

Trespassing in Murray Library: On Oct. 5, Protective Services received a call reporting a panhandler in Murray Library. The individual was given a verbal warning and left campus.

Riley Deacon / Photo Editor Darin Poorman speaks at the FSIN forum held in the Arts Building on Oct. 18.

TANNER BAYNE NEWS EDITOR

On Oct. 18, the Indigenous Students’ Council held a forum in the Arts Building

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4 / NEWS

sheaf oct 25 to 31, 2018.indd 1

for candidates running for executive positions in the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations election, which will happen on Oct. 25 at TCU Place.

Hosted in conjunction with the Political Studies Students’ Association, the event welcomed students and community members alike to ask questions and hear from the seven candidates running in the election.

The forum allowed the candidates for Chief, Bobby Cameron and Delbert Wapass; first vice-chief, Morley Watson and Darin Poorman; and third vice-chief, Edward ‘Dutch’ Lerat, Corey Bugler and Christine Jack, to speak about their prospective goals for office, if elected, and answer questions delivered by a moderator and from the audience.

In his opening comments, Wappas praised the ISC for hosting the event, stating that input from Indigenous youth can often be lacking in the FSIN. “Our youth are important, and yet, we never go back to our youth, and we never talk to them in regards to what they think and how they feel and where they feel that the [FSIN] should be going,” Wapass said.

When asked about how the candidates would support the ISC in their aim to develop an Indigenous Students’ Union, Bugler stated that the FSIN should do what they

10/16/2018 12:00:11 PM

can to support this initiative.

“An Aboriginal union is another voice. It’s another way for us to hear our concerns… Our university students need to be heard,” Bugler said. “When you get here in your first year, … you’re in this new place, you don’t know what’s going on [and] you have to find connections with other people — and that’s where these unions come in place… We will stand with you. We’ll do everything we can, as the FSIN, to support you.”

The candidates elected into the three executive positions will hold office until 2021.

Bike theft at Royal University Hospital: On Oct. 11, Protective Services received a call from Royal University Hospital security reporting that they witnessed an attempted bicycle theft near RUH. RUH security apprehended the male and awaited the arrival of Protective Services officers. The male was then placed under arrest without incident.

Attempted robbery on the Meewasin Trail: On Oct. 15, a student was approached by an unknown male and female on the Meewasin Trail, just off campus near the university’s Education fields. The victim had her backpack pulled from her and was struck during the struggle. The suspects, one armed with a knife, did not take any of her belongings and fled on foot, southbound on the trail. This incident occurred off campus and was handled by the Saskatoon Police Service.

Safewalk reminder: Safewalk volunteers walk people safely to their destinations on or near campus, Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Outside of these hours, Protective Services provides free walking escorts to students, staff, faculty and campus visitors and can be reached at (306) 966-5555. *Briefs provided by Protective Services

Riley Deacon / Photo Editor Darin Poorman shakes hands at the FSIN forum held in the Arts Building on Oct. 18.

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SPORTS&HEALTH

SPORTS&HEALTH

Fitness class review: Yoga for Backs

JACK THOMPSON

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

In trying times such as these, yoga has your back.

Saved by the kettlebell Kettlebells are multi-use weights that essentially consist of a big heavy ball with a handle. While they may be straightforward design-wise, what you’re supposed to use them for isn’t. Kettlebells are a solid piece of equipment because they have many uses, meaning you’ll be getting a lot of bang for your buck with this piece of workout equipment.

This workout can serve as a beginner’s guide for the new kettlebell owner.

Swings: 10 repetitions

Press: 5 repetitions per side Jaymie Stachyruk / Graphics Editor

JACK THOMPSON

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

In this installment of the fitness class review series, I tried another specific yoga class to get a more localized workout.

Yoga for Backs is a yoga class that aims to provide healing for those with back problems and strengthening exercises for everyone.

This class is held weekly in the Physical Activity Complex, every Monday at 12:05 p.m.

— so get in after that morning class or before a bout of afternoon studying. If the class isn’t available to you because you have commitments during this time slot, however, do take note that class times can change — so check back, this isn’t one to miss.

Yoga for Backs has interested me for some time, as I have experienced mild back issues since a sporting injury, which dislocated my rib, in high school.

Being a student doesn’t help either — carrying books around and sitting for extended periods certainly hasn’t been doing my spine any favours. So going in, I had high hopes that this class could have the potential to show

me what more I could be doing for my back.

Not really knowing what to expect going in, I made sure I had my regular workout attire on just in case lots of movement was required. While that certainly was not a mistake by any means, it wasn’t necessary. The class is very low on movement, and the focus is more on long, extended poses than anything else.

The first prop we used was called a strap, which is a long and flexible piece of foam that participants were asked to fold in half and place underneath their spine as they laid down on the yoga mat. Laying down on the strap felt somewhat uncomfortable and achy, but the instructor informed the class that this is a normal sensation as you are stretching out your spine.

With the strap underneath my spine, the instructor told us to hold our arms straight out and slowly move them back behind our heads before bringing them back. After repeating this a few times with varying speeds and depths of stretch, we moved on to the next exercise.

Where the first exercise focused on the upper back, the next focused on the lower back.

Taking pads — which are thin, made of foam and about the same dimensions as a pillow — and rolling them up tightly, we were asked to place this foam roll against our hips and slowly lay back. From this position, we did some stretches that included getting a deeper extension and moving our hips from side to side in order to fully stretch the back.

These two exercises made up the whole class, which lasted a full hour. All of the movements were very relaxed, and the instructor also got the class to focus on being in the moment and just existing, which brought a meditative aspect to the class.

In the hours that passed after the class, my back problems did seem to improve. Eventually, this effect did subside and a milder version of my back pain did return — but seeing that I had to put on some Rub A535 just to walk to the yoga class, I’ll count that as a win.

Perhaps one of the the most accessible fitness classes available, Yoga for Backs would be great for pretty much anyone.

All of us carry at least a little pain and stress in our backs, and this class makes for a very relaxing way to break up a busy day.

Squats: 10 repetitions

Rows: 5 repetitions per side

All graphics by Jaymie Stachyruk / Graphics Editor

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Men’s hockey team continues their strong start to the season with a double victory against the Horns To tackle the rest of the season, the Huskies men’s team plans to build off their early success by focusing on being prepared.

ANA CRISTINA CAMACHO STAFF WRITER

The men’s hockey team played two games at Merlis Belsher Place against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Oct. 19 and 20. Both matches were shutout victories, with no points scored by the Horns — Friday’s game was won with a score of 5-0 and Saturday’s, 4-0.

The Huskies started off their Canada West championship season on Sept. 29, with a 5-2 win against the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

Since then, they have kept a winning streak interrupted only by a 1-5 defeat against the same Golden Bears. This weekend’s success follows last week’s back-to-back victories against the University of Calgary Dinos and moves their overall season score to 5-1-0.

Taran Kozun, second-year arts and science student and

goalkeeper, stopped 12 shots in Saturday’s game. He discusses how having success early in the season is motivating to him.

“I haven’t had a back-toback in a long time, so it’s nice that after the first couple of weekends I have quite a few in,” Kozun said. “It’s nice to get the goals against back down to where I like it.”

Despite coming to Saturday’s game off of Friday’s victory, Kozun says he didn’t let the team’s previous success change the way he approached the game.

“It’s shutout to shutout,” Kozun said. “They are tough to get, so if you can get one, you gotta take it.”

Both games saw two Huskies goals in the first period — on Saturday, the team managed another two in the second, while Friday’s game had consistent Huskies goals throughout. Head Coach Dave Adolph credits the team’s success to the play-

ers’ determination to give it their all from the start of the match.

“We continued playing the way we did last night in the first period, and it started to wear away on the opposition,” Adolph said in an interview with Huskie Athletics. “I thought our guys showed good composure and that Lethbridge found a way to compete for the last thirty minutes.”

The coach is using a predetermined rotation for the goalies this season, so Kozun will probably not be playing in the next couple of games.

Kozun spoke to how these games felt and the importance he puts on preparing before the game.

“Getting back into the flow of things — you gotta be mentally strong in these games, and you have to prepare to go out and win every shift,” Kozun said. “Your whole Friday and Saturday, you have to get yourself ready to go mentally

Heywood Yu U of S Huskies forward Levi Cable and Lethbridge Pronghorn centre Sam McKechnie battle for possession at Merlis Belsher Place on Oct. 20.

throughout the whole game.”

With a strong start to the season, the team is looking ahead with determination.

Kozun states that what matters now is the next game.

“It’s coming the way I wanted it to, slowly building on each weekend,” Kozun said.

“I’m just preparing for the second half, making sure that I am ready to go.”

The Huskies are facing the Regina Cougars next, in back-to-back games on

Oct. 26 and 27. Kozun says the team is preparing for the match knowing that the Cougars will also be looking to keep building on their success — this weekend, the Cougars won their last two matches against the Manitoba Bisons.

“They had a good weekend… So we have to make sure that we are prepared to play against them and that we have our best chance to win,” Kozun said.

It’s time to drop the puck!

Students get in FREE to all Huskie games. Get your ticket with valid student card in PAC 222 or at Shop USask (Preston Crossing) in advance or the Merlis Belsher Place ticket booth beginning one hour prior to game time. Limited seating available.

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Grand Opening October 26 and 27 usask.ca/merlisbelsherplace

6 / SPORTS & HEALTH

Men’s hockey: October 26 @ 7 pm Women’s hockey: October 27 @ 7 pm

Free hot dog (redeemable at concession) for students at the October 27 game only.

Community Open House Saturday, October 27, 10 am – 3 pm Public skate, meet and greet with Dave King, giveaways, informal tours, sledge hockey demos and more!

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Decisive victory for the Huskies football team in final regular-season home game A strong win against the Manitoba Bisons takes the Huskies to the playoffs.

Heywood Yu U of S Huskies quarterback Kyle Siemens carries the ball downfield during the third quarter of the game against the Manitoba Bisons at Griffiths Stadium on Oct. 20.

ANA CRISTINA CAMACHO STAFF WRITER

On Saturday, Oct. 20, the Huskies faced the University of Manitoba Bisons for the second time this season, this time at Griffiths Stadium. The game ended in a 27-4 victory for the Huskies, earning them a spot in the Canada West playoffs.

This victory came after two losses, against the University of Calgary Dinos and the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds respectively. Head Coach Scott Flory discusses how the comeback came from focusing on the next play and the next game.

“That’s the resiliency that we’re talking about — regardless of what happens, you can’t go back in time, so you have to forget about that and play the next play,” Flory said. “Our guys did a great job of that tonight.”

This play-to-play mentality also helped the Huskies succeed despite a slow start to the game — the majority of the points were scored in the second half. Fifth-year player Tyler Chow, who showed off his stellar running in his last home game, attributes the stronger second half to a determination to win.

“Flory sat us down after we lost to UBC, and he said, ‘At this time of the year, it’s all playoff

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mentality — we gotta refuse to lose.’ I think we played that way today,” Chow said. “We wanted to start off hot, and that didn’t really happen. We re-collected our thoughts in the second half: offence, we started putting pedals to the metal, and defence, they kept doing what they were doing.”

The defensive line played a big part in the crucial game, holding the Bisons offence — which scored 46 points in the two teams last encounter — to just four points.

“I’ve got to thank them,” Chow said. “Four points against a hell of an offence — [the Bisons] are averaging 30 plus points a game.”

Barring the possibility of the Huskies hosting a playoffs game, the match was the last home game for the fifth-years, who led the offence on Oct. 20.

Players Chow, Kyle Siemens and Tristian Koronkiewicz say that they had a great last home match.

Siemens reached career heights against the Bisons. Of the season overall, he says he is proud of his team’s resilience.

“We have a great group of guys. Adversity hit us a lot this season, and we’ve responded well every single time, so I’m pretty proud of that — pretty proud of the guys,” Siemens said.

Koronkiewicz also ended his

last home game on a high — despite being a defensive lineman, he finished off the game scoring the first touchdown of his university-level career.

“No words describe that feeling,” Koronkiewicz said. “I saw the ball on the ground, picked it up and gave it my all to get to that end zone. No better way to cap off my career here at Griffiths Stadium.”

Koronkiewicz discusses the possibility of returning to home turf for the playoffs. If the team wins their next game and the Thunderbirds lose theirs, the playoffs would be hosted by the Huskies, giving the fifth-years another home game.

“Me and the rest of the fifthyears, we want that opportunity to play our playoff game here, but we got a spot in the playoffs, and we’ve got to take it one week at a time,” Koronkiewicz said. “It’s my last kick to the can. I want to be able to prolong my career as much as I can. We seized that opportunity today — we’ve got, for sure, two more weeks of football.”

The team will play in Regina against the U of R Rams on Oct. 26. The Huskies defeated the Rams earlier in the season, but Chow says they are not taking them for a guaranteed win.

“We are not going to take them lightly,” Chow said. “The Rams are a great team, and we have to stay focused.”

Huskies men’s soccer team clinches playoff spot The men’s soccer team secured a chance in the playoffs with a weekend of excellent plays.

HEYWOOD YU

On Oct. 19 and 21, the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s soccer team finished their regular season strong, defeating both the Mount Royal Cougars and the University of Calgary Dinos at home and prolonging their winning streak to three games.

Playing their first game of the weekend at the Griffiths Stadium in Nutrien Park on Oct. 19, the Huskies men’s squad conceded a goal in the early stages of the game. However, thanks to goals scored by midfielders Mohamed Omar, Marcello Gonzalez and Gabriel Buatois along with defender Ekior-Dourde Mieyafa, the Huskies squad came back and claimed a massive 4-1 victory against the Mount Royal Cougars.

During the team’s second game of the weekend, on Oct. 21, forward Tobias HyrichKrueger scored the opening goal against the U of C Dinos.

Forward Nikolas Baikas put the icing on the cake by scoring the second goal of the game, achieving a 2-0 victory.

After the two victories of the weekend, the men’s team improved their overall record to 7-5-2, positioning them in second place for the Canada

West Prairie Division, which guarantees them a playoff spot.

Huskies midfielder Kwame Opoku states that the team is thrilled after their recent winning streak but says that the players plan to keep their heads down and prepare for the playoffs rigorously.

“The boys and I are very ecstatic about the winning streak going into the playoffs, but nothing changes. We’ll prepare for this game like we have the past couple weekends, and hopefully, be going into the final four the following weekend,” Opoku said, via online communication with the Sheaf.

Opoku further explains that the team will be drawing on the strength of their coaching staff and the home-field advantage.

“Coach Chapman always has a plan, so as long as we continue training as we are, with so much depth, we aren't worried — at least I am not — and playing at home, we will have the fans at our backs, making this first game a little more comfortable.”

The Huskies will be hosting the University of Fraser Valley Cascades for the Canada West quarter-final game on Oct. 27.

The location of the game has yet to be confirmed, but it will either be taking place at Griffiths Stadium or at Field 7 in Nutrien Park.

Heywood Yu U of S Huskies soccer player Marcello Gonzalez dribbles the ball downfield during the game against the Mount Royal Cougars at Griffiths Stadium on Oct. 19.

Heywood Yu U of S Huskies midfielder Mohamed Omar heads the ball towards the net against the Mount Royal Cougars at Griffiths Stadium on Oct. 19.

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A PARANORMAL INQUIRY: Students weigh in on the existence of ghosts Two sides of the debate on ghosts go head to head.

JACK THOMPSON

SPORTS & HEALTH EDITOR

JESSICA QUAN

T he world of the supernatural generates much debate on the topic of its existence. Between the deniers of and the believers in the existence of ghosts, spirits and the like, no true consensus has ever been met. As we draw nearer to Halloween, the Sheaf explores this debate.

The following stories have been collected from students at the University of Saskatchewan by means of interviews conducted on Facebook, each supporting one of the two views, with responses from first-year law student Jessica Quan, believer in ghosts, and resident Sheaf Sports & Health Editor Jack Thompson, ghost skeptic.

Jessica on the existence of ghosts:

I never believed that ghosts were real until the day that I saw one. My subsequent encounters with spirits then kept piling up to the point where I thought I was in a B-grade version of Paranormal Activity.

The first time I saw a ghost was when I was in grade five. I saw the figure of a man, who I initially thought was my dad, walking down the hallway into his bedroom. I followed him, only to find out that I was home alone and there was no one in the bedroom.

Additionally, I’ve been witness to a number of inexplicable incidents while I was either home alone or in instances where others present at the time verified that it wasn’t them.

Doors opening and closing, lights turning on and off, items being rearranged and footsteps crossing the floor are examples of these interactions.

While there aren’t scientific ways to prove that ghosts exist, there aren’t any ways to disprove their existence either. When a photo of an alleged ghost gets captured, it’s often dismissed as a patch of light or dust.

Haters may even go as far to say that it’s been photoshopped. An anecdotal rambling about seeing a ghost can only hold so much weight in the mind of a non-believer.

In reality, no one can catch a ghastly ghoul in a trap or force an apparition to undergo the scientific

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method. We have to embrace the uncertainty of the unknown and accept that there are some things that science can’t explain.

Fourth-year computer science student Elyse Jensen, who is also an employee at the Museum of Antiquities, has been witness to odd and inexplicable incidents ever since the museum received an artifact from an Egyptian tomb. The exhibit is named False Door from the Tomb of a Priestess of Hathor, Irti, and the artifact is known as a portal to the afterlife.

“The Egyptians believed that your spirit would have to go though it when you died,” Jensen said. “The weird thing about working there is, ever since the museum got it, we always hear knocking on the door from the gallery, but when we open the door, no one is there. It happens a lot to me when I’m working alone, especially.”

Jensen has not seen any ghostly entities while at work, but nonetheless, says she can feel another presence while working alone at the museum.

“There are cameras in the museum, but there’s nothing to be seen…

When I am alone in the gallery, I can hear [the camera] moving sometimes by itself — it moves when it detects motion,” Jensen said.

First-year law student Monica Tahn holds the view that, in the absence of contrary evidence, there is overwhelming support that points to the existence of a spiritual dimension. Tahn asserted that projections of spirits are specific to individuals and their circumstances.

“Ghosts fail to mean anything without context, in the sense that people from various cultures have seen the supernatural. If one believes in God and evil, then this is entirely possible.

In that context, a spirit would … be a manifestation of these,” Tahn said.

Third-year sociology student Drew Lubda bases her stance on inductive reasoning, stating that it’s important to keep your mind open to any explanation. Lubda recounts her first-hand experience with the paranormal as an undeniably strange set of circumstances.

“I had an ex-boyfriend whose fa-

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FEATURE All graphics by Emily Migchels / Editor-in-Chief

J.C. Balicanta Narag / Outreach Director False Door from the Tomb of a Priestess of Hathor, Irti at the Museum of Antiquities.

ther passed away in the house, and the ambulance was called, and he went to the hospital. After everyone had left, all doors had been locked,” Lubda said. “The weird thing was, when we came back to the house, everything had changed — all the Christmas decorations were put on the floor, and all the ornaments on the tree were taken off.”

Lubda says that, after the initial event, signs of a phantasmic presence continued in the house.

“Later, through the months, there would be occasional cabinet [doors] swinging, objects from the cabinet put on the ground — nothing too threatening. There was no other rational explanation — unless there were thieves with matching keys who came in, rearranged everything gently and took off — but that just doesn’t seem logical,” Lubda said.

Ryan Mitchell, a former philosophy student at the U of S who frequently dabbles in black magic, recounts one of the eeriest encounters he has had with the spirit realm. “[The] weirdest was when a friend and I were invoking a spirit, and we just passed out. And when we woke up, we found his roommate just asleep on the staircase. None of us had any idea what happened. That’s kinda stuck with me,” Mitchell said.

While Mitchell has yet to see a ghost, he contends that their existence may not necessarily be grounded in what many perceive to be an afterlife.

“I think they’re more a manifestation of the desire of people to live beyond death,” Mitchell said. “[It’s] an existential relief of the true horror: endless nothingness and a universe indifferent to human suffering.”

Lindsay Schwartz*, a student in the College of Arts and Science, says

she had a more benevolent encounter with a spirit when she was younger.

“I remember laying in bed late at night — my bed was in my closet at the time, and I had a lamp on my headboard. When I went to turn [the lamp] off, I remember seeing an orb above it. I thought nothing of it and tried to sleep,” Schwartz said. “A few moments later, the corner of my bed [sank] down. No one was there, then a hand rested on my shin and gave it a comforting pat.”

Schwartz believes that this experience was connected to spirits.

“I believe it was a ghost — probably my grandpa who had just passed away,” Schwartz said. “I think [that] ghosts represent pain. I feel you rarely hear about happy ghosts. There’s always something holding them here, and that kinda ties into my personal story of my grandpa.”

The existence of ghosts will continue to be the subject of much scrutiny and skepticism. While the tales above may not be enough to convince non-believers otherwise, the fact nonetheless remains that these encounters are very real to those who experience them.

Jack on the nonexistence of ghosts: While some may like to think that a fantastical existence awaits them after death, there is little evidence to prove such a thing exists. In a world governed by physical limitations, alongside an overt mundanity in the day-to-day of life, it would make sense that some would like to believe in something fantastical and exciting — but this does not make it true.

This is precisely what ghosts are: a projection on the behalf of the observer who wishes to see something exciting that connects stimuli to an imagined conclusion. Furthermore,

it is hard to believe that ghosts could exist as there is no absolute evidence to prove that they do, even in today’s world of advanced technology.

Travis Smith, a first-year law student, is not vehemently against the possibility of ghosts but does approach the topic with a healthy dose of skepticism.

“I don’t necessarily not believe in ghosts — I’m a person whose beliefs are generally quite firmly vested in fact, proof, reason and logic.

I find it hard to believe things that are not supported by, or go against, these principles,” Smith said.

Smith agrees that the main reason for his skepticism is simply a lack of hard evidence in favour of the existence of the spirit realm.

“Because there is little support in terms of proof — especially of the scientific type — in favour of the existence of ghosts, I tend not to believe in them,” Smith said.

Xaverie MacLennan, another firstyear law student, believes that skeptical thinking can be used against the existence of ghosts.

“Some people will report feeling held down by ghosts, and upon examination of their house, it turns out that carbon monoxide poisoning is occurring, which results in their sense of fatigue and visual hallucinations,” MacLennan said.

MacLennan expands on this idea, explaining how the human brain can trick people into fabricating false explanations.

“I also think the average person is overconfident in their cognitive skills and doesn’t realize just how fallible the human brain is or how good humans are at pulling patterns out of

random events,” MacLennan said.

“This largely influences a person’s emotional response to random and strange occurrences and further pushes them to believe that ghosts are real because they feel that ghosts are real.”

Just as these two interviewees explain, there are plenty of reasons to be critical on the existence of ghosts.

With all of this being said, remember that a bump in the night is probably not a ghost but more likely a perfectly explicable natural phenomenon.

Wrapping up on ghosts: In the end, neither of these positions will likely ever come to a full agreement nor a satisfying conclusion. While one side sees a world made up of patterns and facts and believes that most knowledge is knowable, the other side sees the world as largely inexplicable and fluid and believes that there are things that cannot be explained in terms of science. *To respect the privacy of the individual interviewed, their name has been changed.

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EVENTS T H U R S

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@ SASKATOON FARMERS’ MARKET, 5:00 P.M.

7 Nights of Historical Villainy talks Moose Jaw tunnels

WRITE OUT LOUD: ANARCHY SLAM

How much do we really know about the Tunnels of Moose Jaw?

BACKPACK TO BRIEFCASE @ LOUIS’ LOFT, 4:00 P.M.

THURSDAY NIGHT ART MARKET

@ SASKATOON PUBLIC LIBRARY, 6:00 P.M.

KARAOKE THURSDAY @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 9:00 P.M.

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DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE WITH LIVE SCORE BY THE NEW JACOBIN CLUB @ THE ROXY THEATRE, 7:30 P.M. CLASSIFIED: THE DAY THINGS CHANGE TOUR @ COORS EVENT CENTRE, 8:00 P.M.

SHUTTING DOWN THE SCUZ: A SUICIDE SQUAD HALLOWEEN @ THE SUTHERLAND BAR, 8:00 P.M. THE CLASSY CHASSYS WITH RAYGUN COWBOYS AND JOHNNY 2 FINGERS @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 10:00 P.M.

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THE FINAL DESTINATION: DRINK THE SCUZ DRY @ THE SUTHERLAND BAR, 5:00 P.M.

BOOK OF TRESPASSES: FIRST OFFICIAL SCREENING @ THE BROADWAY THEATRE, 6:00 P.M.

VAMPIRE BEAT @ PAVED ARTS, 9:00 P.M.

THE ROOM: THE LATE 2018 EDITION @ THE ROXY THEATRE, 10:00 P.M.

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SUNDAY NIGHT JAM @ BUDS ON BROADWAY, 8:00 P.M.

TONIGHT IT’S POETRY: OCTOBER SLAM @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 8:00 P.M.

OPEN MIC @ BLACK CAT TAVERN, 9:00 P.M.

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GAMES NIGHT @ LOUIS’ PUB, 7:00 P.M.

JOHN MELLENCAMP @ SASKTEL CENTRE, 8:00 P.M.

UKRAINIAN CARTOON NIGHT @ LOUIS’ PUB, 5:00 P.M.

LOST HIGHWAY NAVIGATORS @ BON TEMPS CAFE, 6:30 P.M.

100% TUESDAYS @ LOUIS’ PUB, 8:00 P.M.

OPEN STAGE @ CAPITOL MUSIC CLUB, 9:00 P.M.

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NICOLE WICKENBERG

KARAOKE NIGHT @ FLINT SALOON, 9:00 P.M.

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Riley Deacon / Photo Editor Attendants of the 7 Nights of Historical Villainy event, held at the Hose and Hydrant on Oct. 17.

TRICK OR EAT 2018 @ USSU FOOD CENTRE, 5:30 P.M.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW @ THE BROADWAY THEATRE, 7:00 P.M.

OYSTERS3 @ THE BASSMENT, 8:00 P.M.

THE DIRTY NIL WITH DEAD SOFT AND EAMON MCGRATH @ AMIGOS CANTINA, 9:00 P.M.

OCT. 24 NOV. 7

THE THIN MAN

OCT. 27 NOV. 4

YXE POUTINE WEEK 2018

@ PERSEPHONE THEATRE

@ VARIOUS SASKATOON RESTAURANTS

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The 7 Nights of Historical Villainy series had its second lecture on Oct. 17 at the Hose and Hydrant, focusing on the fictional laundry owner Mr. Burrows, who is part of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw tour.

The 7 Nights of Historical Villainy series is a monthly event hosted by the University of Saskatchewan’s department of history. The series began in September with a discussion on Eadric Streona, an Anglo-Saxon viking collaborator.

Ashleigh Androsoff, an assistant professor in the department of history, led the latest lecture, which discussed the representation of Chinese Canadians in The Passage to Fortune tour through the Tunnels of Moose Jaw. The Tunnels of Moose Jaw are one of Saskatchewan’s most popular tourist attractions, featuring two main tunnel tours: The Chicago Connection, in which the guests play the part of a bootlegger following one of Al Capone’s goons, and The Passage to Fortune, in which visitors are supposed to act as Chinese immigrants. In this role, according to the Tunnels of Moose Jaw website, “your passage to fortune is just around the corner.”

Androsoff became interested in this particular topic after she was contacted by a film-

maker in Toronto who asked her about the Moose Jaw tunnels. Based on the knowledge that she already had, at a first glance, The Passage to Fortune tunnel tour already did not make sense.

“Something wasn’t adding up,” Androsoff said. “Maybe I didn’t know as much as I thought I knew.”

After a bit of research, Androsoff says it became clear to her that this particular tour tells a story based on racialized stereotypes rather than actual facts.

In the tour, the characters that you meet are all fictional, but they are said to be based on real people and events. The tour is marketed as historical, claiming that sound research was used to create the stories behind the tunnels — but Androsoff says she noticed many historical inaccuracies.

Anderson claims that the historical reality of the situation was not so simple. The tunnel tour depicts the Chinese immigrants of the time as individuals without agency, working for cruel bosses who constantly berated them, when many of them were actually able to own successful businesses.

Absent from the narrative of the tours, Androsoff says, is the fact that many Chinese immigrants were often able to prevail despite the turn-of-the-century brand of racism that they would have faced. Androsoff believes that the narrative is woven this

way in the tunnel tour because the racist undertones are easier for people to believe. You have to get over the racism in order to get to the truth.

As for why the tunnels still continue to perpetuate this narrative, it would seem that many of the people living in Moose Jaw continue to be proud of the tour, believing that it tells a true story that everyone should be aware of, Androsoff says.

Other citizens might only believe in its entertainment value, caring less about the facts and how it portrays this group of people. According to Androsoff, many people do not realize that the Chinese immigrants who settled in Moose Jaw at this time have not been given adequate respect or consultation — their stories are not being told.

Androsoff believes that there could be a better way to portray the past in this particular context without losing out on the attractiveness of the tunnel tours.

“I hope that change will occur, but there is not a current willingness,”Androsoff said.

The next lecture in the 7 Nights series will take place at the Hose and Hydrant Brewing Company at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21. The lecture is titled Joseph Trutch and Richard Moody: Canada’s Pacific Coast Villains who Destroyed Indigenous Societies. The event is free and open to the public.

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Not enough time for a movie? Check out these Halloween-themed TV series Fit some horror into your midterm season with these episodic thrillers.

AMBER ADRIAN-JACKSON

It’s spooky season — which, unfortunately, also seems to be the season of due dates and midterms. Who really has time to sit down and watch an entire horror movie? But everyone needs a study break occasionally, so why not take a quick break and watch some creepy TV? There are always the classics of the genre: The X-Files, Supernatural and American Horror Story. These time-honoured tales are still a good place to start. I won’t spend too much time explaining shows that you’ve probably heard about a thousand times, but they continue to be great options.

The Netflix documentary series I Am A Killer isn’t necessarily a spooky Halloween series, but it will definitely leave you feeling unsettled. I do not scare easily, but there is something eerie about this show that left me feeling uneasy. Delving into the minds of murderers is definitely

one way to get into the Halloween spirit. Just don’t follow their lead, please.

The new Netflix horror series, The Haunting of Hill House, is at the top of my list of things to watch. The show is supposed to be terrifying, allegedly even making some people vomit or pass out according to CTV News.

But not everyone likes being scared, so for the faint of heart, here are a couple of good supernatural options to get into the Halloween mood. Charmed is, in my opinion, a severely underrated show. There are creepy aspects to it, but it is by no means a horror show — the perfect happy medium for some viewers.

Another great series, which would take even less time out of your busy schedule, is BuzzFeed Unsolved.

With multiple seasons that alternate between true crime cases and supernatural cases, there is something for everyone.

BuzzFeed Unsolved also features episodes of varied

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length, so whether you have ten minutes or 40, you can squeeze one in. Episodes go live on Friday afternoons, and the latest supernatural season premiered on Oct. 19, 2018.

Netflix also has a new original series premiering on Oct. 26, which is caus-

ing considerable buzz. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina puts a darker twist on the original Sabrina the Teenage Witch TV show and comic series. It premieres at just the right time to creep everyone out right before Halloween, and the trailer seems to promise some

good spooks and scares.

These recommendations cover different lengths, themes and scariness levels.

If you’re looking for a funsized spooky distraction in between writing essays or crunching for midterms, there are plenty of great TV horror options available.

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Spookiest spots on campus

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A look into Saskatoon’s hidden horror comics scene The Sheaf takes a look at Saskatoon’s creepy contributions to the comic book industry.

RILEY DEACON

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PHOTO EDITOR

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COLE CHRETIEN CULTURE EDITOR

At the back door entrance of the Archeology Building, it is rumoured that this re-cemented block in the wall used to be a the body schute for an underground morgue on the U of S campus.

This construction tunnel in the Health Sciences Building gives me the creeps ...

John Diefenbaker’s body is buried on the U of S campus, near the Diefenbaker Centre.

All photos by Riley Deacon / Photo Editor

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Horror comic books have seen a resurgence in the last decade, and strangely enough, artists and writers from Saskatoon have been leading the charge. For those in the know, this shouldn’t come as a shock.

Image Comics — the imprint founded by Spawn artist Todd McFarlane and later redefined by creator of The Walking Dead Robert Kirkman as the genre-comics arthouse that it is today — has been drawing on Western Canadian creators for a long time now.

Partially because of the massive multimedia success of The Walking Dead, it seems that Image Comics has been leaning into the horror genre in an attempt to find their next crossover success story. However, the history of modern horror comics can be traced back to the launch of the Vertigo publishing arm of DC Comics and the British Invasion of superhero comics.

Vertigo was originally meant to serve as an extension of the DC Universe wherein forgotten characters could be reimagined by new writers. This era lead to Neil Gaiman’s gothic take on the Sandman character, Alan

Moore’s celebrated Saga of the Swamp Thing and the long-running Hellblazer series — all of which brought horror elements to the superhero genre.

Artists like Calgary’s Fiona Staples and Saskatoon’s Riley Rossmo have become Image staples and have had a strong influence on the house style of the imprint. Rossmo has become one of the defining horror artists working today thanks to his prolific work and versatility as an artist.

While only a fraction of the series that Rossmo has contributed to are horror related, his bold sketchy style and knack for nightmarish imagery are best suited to horror.

Green Wake — his collaboration with writer Kurtis J. Wiebe, who was formerly based in Saskatoon — stands as one of his best works.

The initial run of Green Wake was a huge success, gaining attention from indie comics fans, but it didn’t have the staying power necessary to continue that momentum.

Green Wake was a murder mystery that combined film noir with the kind of psychological horror made popular

by Silent Hill. The initial run is worth a look for the art alone if you can track it down.

Rossmo’s other horror series, Bedlam, was a dark take on the Batman-Joker dynamic. It’s a good horror comic,

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but it works even better as a deconstruction of the superhero genre. Bedlam ran for only 11 issues, and its second arc featured a different artist.

Another horror comic originating from Saskatoon is Antique Books by Scott Bryce, who launched the series independently through Kickstarter. Antique Books is an updated version of Alien set inside a bookstore. The project passed its $3,000 kickstarter goal and raised over $11,000.

Another modern example of the genre is Canadian writer and artist Jeff Lemire’s take on cosmic horror, Gideon Falls. Batman writer Scott Snyder has also been a defining voice of horror comics thanks to his work on Wytches and his collaboration with Stephen King on American Vampire.

Horror comics offer something different when it comes to Halloween entertainment options. Combining the pacing of a novel with the visceral imagery of a film, comic books are a surprisingly fitting medium for the genre. It’s also a good excuse to check out your nearest comic shop and support a local business.

Horror comics provide an entire untapped vein of scary media, and with much of the best work in the medium happening locally, it’s absolutely worth checking out.

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Why Dr. Ford’s timing is so important Uniting and coming forward with our stories is the start of a brave new change.

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overreacting about what had occured in that car. I tried to convince myself that nothing had really happened to me, and then I realized, during Dr. Ford’s testimony and through the subsequent discourse surrounding it, that there are people who would ask her to do the same, and that suddenly didn’t feel right.

Watching her testimony, it seems undeniable that she experienced the trauma she speaks to, and yet, there were still questions about her credibility. We are told that we aren’t supposed to talk about about the event — we aren’t supposed to acknowledge it because it could threaten both the perpetrator’s future and our own. In acknowledging Dr. Ford’s bravery as she revealed her real, raw story on a national and inter-

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On Sept. 27, 2018, when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford recounted, under oath, her past experiences with Brett Kavanaugh — newly confirmed as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice — many women empathized with Dr. Ford’s position. The chilling reality is that hers is a story that many women know well.

When I was 17, I went to a party at the house of an acquaintance. As my friends and I were getting ready to leave, one of the boys asked me to go talk with him in his car. We weren’t talking for very long before he tried to kiss me.

When I pushed him off of me, he reached over me and held the door closed. I re-

member the fear I felt in that moment very clearly, even two years later. I eventually managed to get out of the vehicle — I don’t know what would have happened if I had not.

When I told my friends about it later, one of them asked what else I expected from such a invitation. I know that she wasn’t trying to blame me, but her message was clear — I should have known better. But I didn’t — I only thought that someone who I considered a friend simply wanted to talk to me.

Now, years later, I know that what happened wasn’t right, but the event has stayed with me ever since. I never realized how much I had been affected by my experience, however, until I watched Kavanaugh’s hearing.

I always thought that I was

would not have faced any repercussions at all had Dr. Ford come forward with her accusations 36 years ago when she says that the traumatic interaction took place.

The particular timing of Dr. Ford’s testimony brought awareness of abusers creeping their way into the political realm and other positions of power and authority. As horrible as the circumstances were, her timing is so important.

Coming forward with our testimonies is how we can make change, and hopefully, make the world better for all survivors of sexual violence, assault and harassment. Although Kavanaugh was ultimately confirmed, it seems that most survivors and allies like me are enraged. If we can harness this emotion, maybe we can make a difference.

Our southern neighbours are expected to vote in the midterm elections on Nov. 6, and there is not a doubt in my mind that a powerful wave of voters will turn out to the polls. We are all ready for change and ready to create something better. Every fire needs a spark, and it feels as though Dr. Ford has ignited something within us.

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national stage, we can begin to make change.

Some people may feel that Dr. Ford’s timing in coming forward with her accusations against Kavanaugh was suspicious, but it was both timely and poignant. I never imagined myself telling my own story, but I know I would speak out if the man who assaulted me was about to be placed in a position of authority such as Kavanaugh’s.

Dr. Ford didn’t tell her story because she wanted revenge.

She did it in an effort to both protect the women of her country and empower all women to tell their stories, and her actions, I believe, are heroic.

Choosing not to come forward undoubtedly would have been easier.

Appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee and reopening old wounds has likely caused new pain and suffering for Dr. Ford and her family.

However, had she told her story earlier, it likely would not have garnered the same kind of media attention nor been able to provoke the same level of emotion from the American public that it has since.

It is likely that Kavanaugh

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Broke? You’re not alone Greater financial literacy is needed for students to avoid crushing debt and despair.

J.C. BALICANTA NARAG OUTREACH DIRECTOR

I am a broke student — enrolled in four classes and working two jobs, scrambling for money to pay off a giant debt that seems to only increase exponentially. I am shrinking by the minute as essays, deadlines, exams and high academic standards stand as obstacles to my financial literacy.

I share this experience with many in the world of post-secondary education. Being financially literate is different than being financially knowledgeable, leading me to ask the question — why do students fall into a deep hole of debt to attain degrees that aren’t guaranteed to get them out of debt in the future?

Financial literacy is defined as being confident in your financial management. Financial knowledge is defined as knowing how to manage your money and applying that knowledge. According to recent studies, students are known to

be financially knowledgeable but not fully financially literate. Considering where I am currently, I can attest to that fact.

I was not taught how interest works, what taxes are or what financial terms I should know prior to becoming a university student. I was taught that I should have my income divided into spending and saving portions, and I was confident that this was all I needed to know.

Students often fall into debt because they are exploited by credit card companies and luring loans.

While borrowing options can be helpful, students often misunderstand or are even unaware of the terms that hold them to these contracts.

A 2017 survey revealed that U of S alumni with loans had the highest average debt in the province, reaching more than $40,000, which is $12,000 higher than the average post-graduate debt of the province. Saskatchewan also had the third highest average tuition fees in Canada, with Ontario and

Nova Scotia on top.

The plethora of credit cards and loans available, combined with students’ pseudo-financial confidence, often results in falling behind on their finances.

And yet, students are constantly exposed to different financial companies that tell them they have the best deal for their demographic in particular — using vague, baiting terms or mentioning relatable financial distress as a way of convincing their prey that this is indeed the best opportunity for students.

Financial stress is connected to lack of financial literacy. Financial stress, on top of academic stress, increases the burden students bear.

Students are forced to work while in school to pay off these debts, and time that is supposed to be dedicated to their education is taken away.

Working while in university can affect a student’s academic performance, leading some to delay or abandon the opportunity for higher education.

Financial-management tools

Riley Deacon / Photo Editor A cash box is posed in the U of S Arts tunnel.

have proven helpful in changing the spending behaviours of students. These tools can be in the form of a class or counselling where an individual becomes familiar with the options or methods available to them in order to avoid being stuck in too high of a debt.

Students, unfortunately, are not in the habit of exploring such methods on their own. Considering this, I would argue that the U of S, or even the Saskatchewan education system, needs to introduce a compulsory medium for financial literacy.

By exposing students to an introductory class in financial management in secondary or post-secondary institutions, more

young people would have the capability to stay in school to pursue higher education without being slammed with shocking debt.

I am not a first-year student, but if I had been taught to be more financially aware when I was, maybe it could have helped me with my grim financial situation now — and maybe many others, too.

After all, studies have shown that other people who are not financially knowledgeable will follow the trend if more students are financially aware.

With the right tools presented to those of us who are in need, anyone can have a higher chance of pursuing their chosen careers without the looming shadow of debt.

GMO: Friend or Foe? Why being ill-informed on the beneficial technology of GMOs could be detrimental to our food production.

DARIAN LIVINGSTONE

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are one of today’s most misunderstood creatures. A GMO is an organism that has had its DNA altered in some way.

These alterations can be done by indirect manipulation, as in artificial selection — when animals or plants are selected for breeding based on desirable traits — or by direct manipulation, such as through the process of genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering, or GE, occurs when a gene that wouldn’t normally be found in an organism is inserted into its genome.

Often used interchangeably with the term GMO, GE is only one subtype of genetic modification that falls under the larger GMO umbrella.

While the prospect of altering DNA sounds daunting, humans have been genetically modifying organisms for thousands of years.

Domestic animals are the ultimate products of artificial selection — cattle, pigs, sheep and chickens were all selected for their muscle mass, ease of breeding, and most of all, their tameness.

Even our dogs were originally domesticated from their wild ancestors for the purpose of hunting

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over 13,000 years ago. Taking a rice, allowing the rice to produce Institute are currently awaiting closer look at plants, we can see more beta carotene— the precur- approval on their application for that our familiar kale, broccoli, sor to vitamin A. a biosafety permit form their fedcabbage and cauliflower were all Health Canada gave the go- eral government’s Bureau of Plant selected and cultivated from forms ahead for the sale of Golden Rice Industry so that they, too, can put of wild mustard. in March 2018, after stating that Golden Rice on the market.

Altering DNA indirectly like this the alterations made to the rice Despite the possibility for poscan take a very long time, however, posed no increased health risk itive impacts, there are some inand some problems require more when compared to the varieties stances of GMO development urgent solutions and call for a faster of rice currently available for con- that warrant apprehension — all and more accurate technique. sumption. cases are unique and should be Genetic engineering allows geIn the Philippines, the Inter- viewed accordingly. In the United netic changes to be made more national Rice Research Institute States, for example, GMOs don’t precisely by incorporating specific and the Philippine Rice Research require pre-market approval. This genes from one species into means that the U.S. Food another. In recent years, GE and Drug Administration has been used to facilitate the only requires a safety asproduction of valuable pharsessment if the developer maceutical substances, like presents evidence that it is insulin and albumin, and to needed. optimize agricultural perThus, developers assess formance — increasing crop the toxicity and allergenicyields, reducing the need for ity of the GMO product pesticides and fertilizers, and themselves and release the increasing the nutrient dendata to the FDA volunsity of certain foods. tarily. When a corporation Golden Rice, for example, is left to regulate itself like is a genetically engineered this, it is understandable crop created to address vitathat consumers may be min A deficiencies in develskeptical — but Canadian oping countries. To produce GMO regulations do not Golden Rice, two genes are operate in this way. inserted — one from corn Before a new GMO can and the other from a combe grown or sold in Canamonly ingested soil bacterida, it has to be approved for Supplied / Agricultural Research Service um, Pantoea ananatis. The food safety by Health Cannumerous varieties of carrots and parsnips are modifications activate the The ada and for feed safety and an example of genetic modification that has been carotenoid pathway in the occurring for centuries. unconfined environmental

release by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This means that plants in Canada are regulated based on the traits that they express rather than the process used to introduce the traits.

Safety reviews are then conducted based on familiarity with the plant species and substantial equivalence, which is the comparison of a modified plant species with the unmodified version that is already approved in Canada.

There are currently four main GMO crops grown in Canada: corn, canola, soybeans and sugar beets. In the United States, this list expands to ten and includes apples and potatoes.

It makes sense that people are wary when it comes to altering genetics — experimental outcomes are not always predictable and the science can be hard for the public to understand. However, genetic modification has helped humans survive for millennia, giving us the plants we eat, the medications we might need and the pets we love.

Genetic modification is a complex field with many categories and internationally varied regulations. We need to make sure we understand what we are discussing, and the implications of misinformation, before we kick potentially beneficial technology to the curb.

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NEIGHBOURS HOLIDAY LAWN DECORATIONS, LIKE, ALMOST TOO REAL? VARSITY VIEW — Popping up in residential areas throughout October are countless displays of spooky scenes on lawns and in windows. Cotton cobwebs, plastic grave markers and jack-o’-lanterns are staples of the game, with some homeowners employing more creative items like crime-scene tape or steaming cauldrons.

For the passersby, these annual folklore facades are often welcome breaks of levity — a signifier that the residents responsible are observers of the congruent holiday. The decorations generally range from cute to crafty to cult, while the truly scary-asshit decor is hidden out of the public eye and usually only available by donation.

Amy Cortez, a fourth-year Edwards School of Business student, says that her neighbours’ lawn display seems more nefarious than most and believes this is cause for alarm.

“There’s [blood] spatters in the windows and just a bunch of bloody medical equipment dumped on the front lawn. It honestly doesn’t look like anyone’s even been back inside since the decorations went up,” Cortez said.

Cortez has never met her neighbours, but says she saw them moving in four months ago.

“I’ve heard some weird noises coming from their house at weird hours — like a deep hum or some kind of chanting. I thought it was

#albumoftheweek:

Dose Your Dreams By Fucked Up Jordan Stovra

some ASMR shit, maybe,” Cortez said.

Cortez says it never occurred to her to conclude that her neighbours’ behaviour might be at all suspicious, but given only these two examples, she wonders whether the convenient calendar timing is hiding a darker truth.

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I have been a little bored in my social life lately, and the stuff is just, like, a lot,” Cortez said.

Cortez’s neighbours could not be reached for comment. Daniel Combes, a Sheaf Fake News fact-checker, reports that the lawn display was, at the time of print, a little fucked up.

Over the last decade, Toronto band Fucked Up has become a mainstay of the Canadian music scene. Their newest album, Dose Your Dreams, is an excellent 18-track project. Features from Jennifer Castle and J Mascis — of Dinosaur Jr. — help bring different vocal contrasting throughout the record, especially towards the end, as lead vocalist Damian Abraham’s style can be grating over long periods of time.

The standout tracks from Dose Your Dreams are “Talking Pictures,” “I Don’t Wanna Live in This World Anymore” and “Came Down Wrong.” All in all, Dose Your Dreams is an excellent record that everyone should listen to.

LAST WEEK’S CROSSWORD KEY:

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TRICK

OR EAT Lend a hand to the Saskatoon Food Bank October 31, 2018 5:30 to 8:00 pm

SOCIAL MEDIA COSTUME CONTEST #ussuhalloween

Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Post by midnight Oct. 31.

Top 3 most likes: $75, $50, and $25 gift cards. ussu.ca/EVENTS

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